Theatre-goers in Swindon showed their solidarity with Ukraine at the end of a performance of the classic opera Madam Butterfly.

Members of the audience unfurled a Ukrainian flag and stood while the whole cast sang the Ukrainian national anthem at Sunday's production.

Wiltshire Times: Members of the Ukrainian National Opera cast of Madam Butterfly at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre on Sunday evening unfurled the Ukrainian flag and sang their national anthem to prolonged applause and cheers as the audience stood. Members of the Ukrainian National Opera cast of Madam Butterfly at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre on Sunday evening unfurled the Ukrainian flag and sang their national anthem to prolonged applause and cheers as the audience stood. (Image: John Baker)

One audience member said: “The whole auditorium stood, clapped and cheered to show their solidarity with Ukraine against its fight with the Russian forces.”

The show of support occurred at the finale of a Ukrainian National Opera production of Giacomo Puccini’s classic opera.

The touring company, Dnipro Opera, were giving a performance of one of Puccini’s most popular works at the Wyvern Theatre.

While two cast members unfurled their own blue and yellow Ukrainian flag on stage, some members of the audience at the back of the auditorium also produced their own flag to wave.

The orchestra struck up the Ukrainian national anthem while the soloists and chorus joined forces to sing it to prolonged applause and cheers.

The company are part-way through an extensive UK tour of Madam Butterfly, Carmen and La Bohème that ends on March 28.

Many Ukrainian refugees living in Swindon and Wiltshire turned out to watch the performance and show their support to their countrymen and women.